There are over 300,000 fast food restaurants in the United States today. This figure reflects the American lifestyle today. Fast food is predicable, convenient, and it is suitable for a fast-paced way of life. But nutrition experts point out that fast food is not good for the health. It is high in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
Eating fast food, by itself, is not bad. However, making it part of your everyday diet without balancing it with healthier alternatives will cause certain health problems. To help you make better informed choices, below are some facts about fast food. Included are information about the calorie, fat, cholesterol, and sodium content of fast food.
Calories
On average, a male needs 2,700 calories a day and a female needs 2,000 calories a day. There are a few exceptions because some people need to eat more than others to maintain a desirable weight. However, what is certain is that it is if you want to lose weight, you eat less or burn more by exercising.
Fat
Too much fat can lead to high blood cholesterol levels. This can cause coronary heart disease, hardening of the arteries, and stroke. High-fat diets can also increase the risk of certain types of cancer particularly breast and colon cancer.
Cholesterol
The American Heart Association recommends limiting cholesterol intake to 300 milligrams a day. Products that are high in saturated fat can be a big contributor to high blood cholesterol levels.
Sodium
Sodium is an essential part of everyday diet. However, too much salt can cause a host of health problems including high blood pressure. The Food and Nutritional Board of the National Academy of Sciences estimates that the safe amount of sodium that can be taken each day is between 1,100 to 3,300 milligrams.
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